IL St. Paul Saints

Saints' Offense Explodes In Fifth Straight Win, 14-1 Over Red Wings

April 25, 2023 - International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - Maybe it's hyperbole, but it's not far off from the truth. The St. Paul Saints put out perhaps their best lineup, one through nine, in franchise history on Tuesday night at Innovative Field and they did not disappoint. They set a season high in runs, hits, and runs in an inning by throttling the Rochester Red Wings with a 17-hit attack, 14-1. The win is the fifth straight for the Saints and improves them to 14-7 on the seasn. The game was scoreless until the fourth when Kyle Garlick unloaded on a 402 foot solo homer to left-center, his fourth of the season, making it 1-0. Matt Wallner followed that with a single to right and Mark Contreras doubled into the left field corner putting runners at second and third. With two outs Tony Wolters walked to load the bases. Chris Williams gave the Saints a 3-0 lead with a double down the third base line.

In the fifth, Garlick walked with one out. He stole second and scored on a two-out bloop single to left-center by Contreras increasing the lead to 4-0.

The Saints put the game away in the sixth with a seven run inning, their highest scoring inning of the season. Andrew Bechtold and Wolters started the inning with back-to-back walks. With one out, Edouard Julien singled to center loading the bases. The Saints then got three RBI singles from Alex Kirilloff, Garlick, and Contreras increasing the lead to 7-0. Garlick finished the night a triple shy of the cycle going 3-4 with two RBI and three runs scored while Contreras was 4-5 with a double, two RBI, and three runs scored. Michael Helman then delivered with a grand slam to left, his first home run of the season and the second grand slam of his career, that put the Saints up 11-0.

Kirilloff came calling in the seventh with an opposite field solo homer to left, his third home run in five games on Major League rehab with the Saints, increasing the lead to 12-0. Kirilloff finished the night 2-6 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored.

In the eighth, Helman delivered for the second time on the night. Contreras singled to right-center and Helman followed with a two-run homer to left, his second of the game and season, putting the Saints up 14-0. Helman finished the night 3-5 with two home runs and a career-high six RBI.

The lone Red Wings run came on a solo homer in the eighth by Derek Hill, his second of the season.

Eight of the nine Saints collected a hit, eight of nine scored a run, and five of nine collected an RBI.

Not to be overlooked, Aaron Sanchez tossed 5.0 shutout innings allowing just a one out double in the second while walking five and striking out four.

The same two teams meet in game two of a six-game series on Wednesday at Innovative Field at 5:05 p.m. (CT). The Saints send RHP José De León (0-0, 3.14) to the mound against Red Wings RHP Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.35). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

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International League Stories from April 25, 2023


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